Molded handle grip and shoulder support

ABSTRACT

An improved molded handle grip and shoulder support for baggage, containers and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a flexible strap around which a soft, flexible sleeve is molded. The sleeve includes an exterior surface defined by a pair of end walls from which the strap exits the sleeve. The exterior surface of the sleeve has openings which run from the top of the exterior surface of the sleeve down to the strap to which the sleeve is molded, making a portion of the exposed surface of the strap visible through the openings. The soft, flexible nature of the sleeve and recesses allow the device to accommodate the fingers of a user. In addition, the recesses may form letters, numbers and other shapes such that the handle grip may be customized, more visually appealing and used to identify the baggage to which it is attached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an article used in connection with carrying baggage. More specifically, this invention involves an improved handle grip and shoulder support for luggage, suitcases, backpacks and the like. Even more specifically, this invention relates to a soft, flexible, stationary, non-slip sleeve with visual indicia that is molded directly onto a baggage strap and that provides for comfortable handling and support during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous types of handles and shoulder support devices used in connection with various forms of baggage and straps attached thereto have been around for many years. Typically, the handles and support devices of baggage are designed to provide increased comfort and support to users who carry baggage in their hands and/or over their shoulders for extended periods of time. Despite the advances made in connection with handles and support and cushioning pads for baggage and other forms of containers, these products have certain major drawbacks.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,286 (“Newman”) discloses an adjustable carrying strap apparatus. The device includes a strap that passes through a pad or grip member which may take on a variety of forms. The pad member has an elongated center portion made of rubber or other pliable material for gripping by hand or for use as a support pad. Significantly, the strap in Newman weaves its way through various sections of the pad member. This feature is designed to allow the pad member to slide along the length of the strap. However, the ability of the pad member to move freely relative to the strap may lead to an undesirable twisting of the strap within or in the vicinity of the pad member and thereby cause added physical stress to a user while he or she is carrying the bag to which the device is applied.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,871 (“Weintraub”) discloses a rectangular cushioning device adapted for use with a shoulder strap. The device comprises a planar member with an elongated pocket. Within the pocket are a cushioning member, comprising a cellulosic material, and a fluid filled member which overlies the cushioning member. The fluid filled member preferably comprises a thin plastic sheet having a plurality of sealed bubbles formed therein. In addition to the drawbacks relating to its complicated construction, the movement of the device allows the strap to twist within the cushioning member, thereby causing added physical stress to a user.

A non-slip carrying strap is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,178 (“Stegmeyer”). The device comprises a strap, buffer member and body member. Each of the buffer member and body member may comprise rubber, neoprene or nylon. The body member receives the buffer member which has dimensions that are similar to the hollow interior of the body member and the two are attached to one another by adhesive, tacking or sewing. The body member comprises a number of extensions, referred to as “knobby-nips,” that are disposed on and are integrally molded with the exterior surface of the body member. The “knobby-nips” are designed to grip the shoulder of a user and help prevent the device from slipping off. However, as a result of these protrusions extending from the body member, this device actually provides for increased discomfort while being gripped in the hands of a user.

Another major deficiency in present handle grips and shoulder supports is that they fail to incorporate visually appealing and identifying elements. Present handle grips and shoulder supports typically comprise boring and neutral colors, such as black or tan. They also completely lack identifying elements or visual indicia in the form of shapes, letters, numbers, characters and the like disposed within the handle or support. Such identifying elements and/or visual indicia would increase the overall utility, aesthetic nature and appeal of the baggage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved handle grip and shoulder support for baggage (i.e., luggage, suitcases, and backpacks) and other types of containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a soft and flexible, stationary, non-slip sleeve molded directly onto a strap which provides for comfortable handling and support of baggage and other types of containers.

A further object of the present invention is to provided a handle grip and shoulder support with identifying elements.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a handle grip and shoulder support with visual indicia that is aesthetically appealing and allows for easier and more controlled handling of baggage and other types of containers.

Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows.

In its broadest aspects, the invention involves an improved handle grip and shoulder support for baggage. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible strap around which a soft, flexible sleeve or cover is molded. The sleeve includes an exterior surface which encapsulates the strap and is defined by a pair of end walls from which the strap exits the sleeve. The exterior surface of the sleeve comprises openings or recesses which preferably run from the top of the exterior surface of the sleeve down to the strap to which the sleeve is molded, making the exposed surface of the strap in the area encapsulated by the sleeve visible through the openings. The soft, flexible nature of the sleeve and recesses allow the device to accommodate the fingers of a user. In addition, the recesses may be shaped to form letters, numbers and other shapes such that the handle grip may be customized and more visually appealing to consumers. Optionally, one set of recesses comprising letters and/or numbers may be located on a first exterior surface of the sleeve, while a second set of recesses comprising elongated shapes or half-moons to readily accommodate a user's fingers may be located on a second lateral exterior surface of the sleeve opposite the first.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support of the present invention, with shaped recesses in the form of half-moons, attached to a piece of baggage;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support of FIG. 1, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, with portions shown in dashed lines to display the upward and downward flexibility thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support of FIG. 1, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the interior surface of the sleeve of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support of FIG. 1, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the flexible handle grip and shoulder support, with shaped recesses in the form of letters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 5 depict a preferred embodiment of the improved handle grip and shoulder support 10 which is attached to a piece of baggage B. The handle grip and shoulder support 10 comprises a soft flexible sleeve 12 that is molded to a flexible woven strap 14. When molded to the strap 14, the sleeve 12 encapsulates an area 13 of the strap 14. The sleeve 12 includes an exterior surface 15 which is defined and bordered by a front end wall 18 and a rear end wall 20 having a pair of slots 17, 19 from which the strap 14 exits the sleeve 12. The exterior surface 15 of the sleeve 12 has openings or recesses 16 which run from the top of exterior surface 15 of the sleeve 12 down to the strap 14 to which the sleeve 12 is molded, making the exposed surface 15 of the strap 14 in the area 13 encapsulated by the sleeve 12 visible through the openings 16.

Generally, the ends of the strap 14 exit the sleeve 12 exclusively from the slots 17, 19 that are positioned at the front end wall 18 and rear end wall 20 of the sleeve 12. Furthermore, the strap 14 does not weave in and out of the openings 16 on the exterior surface 15 of the sleeve 12. However, it should be understood that the strap 14 may extend from a sleeve out of the two most extreme (i.e., farthest separated) openings thereof to which the strap has access.

In a preferred embodiment, the openings 16 on the exterior surface 15 of the sleeve 12 are in the shape of half moons. In particular, each side of the exterior surface 15 of the sleeve 12 comprises two inwardly-facing pairs of three half moon openings 16 to accommodate the fingers of a user, regardless of which side of the handle grip 10 is held. The inwardly-facing half moon openings 16 are particularly advantageous since they generally conform the bottommost joint of the fingers of a user when the handle grip 10 is held. Combined with the half moon openings 16, the flexible nature of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 3, allow the handle grip 10 to accommodate the fingers of a user by becoming partially deformed as pressure is applied by a user when clutching the handle grip 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap 14 comprises nylon, polypropylene, polyester and/or other synthetic materials or combinations thereof. Alternatively, natural materials such as leather, cotton and/or combinations of synthetic and natural materials may be utilized as well in the formation of the strap. When formed of woven materials, the strap 14 has a textured surface 22, the significance of which is discussed in more detail below.

Preferably, the sleeve 12 is formed of a soft, flexible thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) compound which combines the functional performance of conventional thermoset rubbers with the processability of thermoplastics. When utilizing a TPE compound in the formation of the sleeve 12 of the handle grip 10, an appropriate mold is first provided to receive the strap 14. Thereafter, the TPE compound, which is heated and in liquid form, is injected into the mold. After the TPE cools, the sleeve 12 is formed at a predetermined location along the strap 14, as well as all of the recesses 16 in the sleeve 12 as provided by the particular mold that is employed. When utilizing the injection molding process (with the aforementioned preferred materials) to form the handle grip 10, the sleeve 12 bonds directly to the strap 14 due to their chemical compatability. Optionally, the sleeve 12 may also be formed from a thermoplastic rubber or conventional rubber materials.

When utilizing a flat woven strap 14 with a textured surface 22, as contrasted with a flat strap having a smooth and non-textured surface, the peaks and valleys of the textured surface 22 create additional surface area to receive the heated liquid TPE compound and to which the TPE compound can bond and form a fixed connection as it cools to form the sleeve 12 during the molding process.

Significantly, even where the chemical bond between the materials which form the textured strap 14 and soft sleeve 12 is less than optimal, making it easier to mechanically separate one from the other such that there is no chemical adhesion, the sleeve 12 is still inhibited from moving along the strap 14 due in part to the friction that is generated between the sleeve 12 and strap 14 in the channel 26 (shown best in FIG. 4) in which the strap 14 is positioned. In addition, after the injection molding process is complete, when utilizing a textured strap 14, a corresponding textured surface 28 is created on the interior surface 25 of the sleeve 12 opposite the exterior surface 15. Thus, even after mechanical separation of the sleeve 12 and strap 14, the “teeth” 24 (shown in FIG. 4) of the textured surface 22 of the strap 14 and the corresponding textured surface 28 of the sleeve 12 interlock with one another to inhibit movement of the sleeve 12. This interaction keeps the sleeve 12 stably secured to the strap 14 at the area to which the sleeve 12 is initially molded.

As shown in FIG. 6, another embodiment of the handle grip and shoulder support 110 also has a sleeve 112 attached to a strap 114. In this embodiment however, the sleeve 112 has openings or recesses 116 in the form of letters making up, for example, a name (as shown illustratively in FIG. 6) with which to identify a user or owner of the baggage to which the handle grip 110 is attached, or a word or brand name with which to identify the origin or source of the baggage. It should be understood that the openings may also form numbers and other shapes (in addition to or instead of letters), which likewise may serve an identifying function. For example, if the same bags are given to different players on a high school baseball team each year, the handle may have opening(s) in the form of a number to identify a player using the bag for any particular year, and opening(s) in the form of a baseball to identify the sport with which the bag is utilized.

Moreover, by incorporating openings 116 with visual indicia in the form of various letters, numbers and shapes, the handle grip 110 may be customized to a particular user making it more appealing to consumers. Alternatively, one set of openings comprising letters and/or numbers may be located on one side of the exterior surface of the sleeve, while a second set of openings comprising shapes such as the half moon openings 16 of FIG. 2 may be located on the opposing second side of the exterior surface which may better accommodate the fingers of a user, depending of course on the dimensions of the openings forming the letters, number and/or shapes on the other side of the sleeve.

In connection with the foregoing embodiments and particularly with the embodiment incorporating identifying visual indicia (i.e., letters numbers, shapes), it is desirable for the flexible strap and soft flexible sleeve to have contrasting or at least different colors. In such an embodiment incorporating a sleeve and strap of different colors, the color of the strap is visible through the openings on the sleeve. It is also preferable, although not absolutely required, for the color of the strap to be lighter than the color of the sleeve, thereby making it easier to see the outline of the particular identifying indicia and thus easier to decipher the particular indicia within the sleeve.

Although the invention is described in terms of particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although specifically described in the context of baggage, it should be understood that the handle grip and shoulder support may be modified and adapted to many different types of containers as well as other items that are carried by individuals and should not be limited to handle grips exclusively utilized for baggage. 

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A handle grip for baggage and containers comprising: a flexible sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior surface defined by a pair of end walls, said interior surface located opposite said exterior surface; a flexible strap having an exposed surface, said sleeve molded directly to said exposed surface of said strap; and at least one opening on said exterior surface of said sleeve, said at least one opening continuing from said exterior surface of said sleeve to said exposed surface of said strap.
 29. The handle grip of claim 28, said flexible strap further having a first texture located on said exposed surface of said strap, and said sleeve further having a second texture on said interior surface of said sleeve, whereby said first texture and said second texture correspond and interlock with one another to inhibit movement of said sleeve along said strap.
 30. The handle grip of claim 28, wherein said at least one opening comprises visual communication indicia.
 31. The handle grip of claim 30, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 32. The handle grip of claim 30, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 33. The handle grip of claim 32, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 34. The handle grip of claim 30, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 35. A handle grip and shoulder support for carrying items comprising: a flat strap having an exposed surface; a flexible gripping member comprising a thermoplastic material, said flexible gripping member having an exterior surface and a length defined by a pair of end walls, said gripping member molded directly to said exposed surface of said strap, and each of said end walls having a slot out of which said strap exits; and visual indicia comprising at least one aperture located within said gripping member.
 36. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 35, said flat strap having a textured surface, said textured surface adapted to receive said thermoplastic material when said thermoplastic material is in a liquid state, wherein a fixed connection is formed between said flat strap and said gripping member when said thermoplastic material cools.
 37. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 35, wherein said visual indicia comprise visual communication indicia.
 38. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 37, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 39. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 37, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 40. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 39, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 41. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 37, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 42. A handle grip comprising: a strap having an exposed surface; and a gripping sleeve comprising a flexible material molded to said strap, said gripping sleeve having an exterior surface with at least one recess, and said gripping sleeve being in fixed connection with said strap such that there is no movement of said gripping sleeve along said strap; wherein said exposed surface is visible through said at least one shaped recess of said gripping sleeve.
 43. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.
 44. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said flexible material comprises rubber.
 45. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said at least one recess is moon-shaped.
 46. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said at least one recess comprises visual communication indicia.
 47. The handle grip of claim 46, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 48. The handle grip of claim 46, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 49. The handle grip of claim 48, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 50. The handle grip of claim 46, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 51. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said exterior surface is deformable and said at least one recess is adapted to accommodate fingers of user.
 52. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said exterior surface comprises a first side and a second side, said first side having at least one recess comprising at least one letter and said second side having at least one recess comprising at least one shape.
 53. The handle grip of claim 52, wherein said at least one shape is adapted to accommodate fingers of a user.
 54. The handle grip of claim 42, wherein said exposed surface of said strap is textured.
 55. The handle grip of claim 54, wherein said gripping sleeve has an interior surface that is in direct contact with said strap, said interior surface interlocking with said exposed textured surface of said strap to prevent movement of said gripping sleeve in relation to said strap.
 56. A non-adjustable handle grip for baggage and containers comprising: a flexible strap having two ends and a first color; a flexible cover having a second color and an exterior surface defined by a front end wall and a back end wall, said flexible cover molded around and fixed to said strap at a predetermined location between said two ends of said strap; at least one opening in said exterior surface of said flexible cover; wherein said first color of said strap is visible through said at least one opening in said exterior surface and is different than said second color of said cover.
 57. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.
 58. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said cover comprises a rubber.
 59. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said strap comprises a synthetic material.
 60. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said strap comprises a textured outer surface, said textured outer surface inhibiting movement of said cover along said strap.
 61. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said at least one opening is adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more fingers of a user.
 62. The handle grip of claim 56, wherein said at least one opening comprises visual indicia.
 63. The handle grip of claim 62, wherein said visual indicia comprise at least one geometric shape.
 64. The handle grip of claim 62, wherein said visual indicia comprise at least one moon shape.
 65. The handle grip of claim 62, wherein said visual indicia comprise visual communication indicia.
 66. The handle grip of claim 65, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 67. The handle grip of claim 65, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 68. The handle grip of claim 67, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 69. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 65, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 70. A handle grip for baggage and containers comprising: a flexible sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior surface defined by a pair of end walls, said interior surface located opposite said exterior surface; a flexible strap having an exposed surface; and at least one opening comprising visual communication indicia on said exterior surface of said sleeve, said at least one opening continuing from said exterior surface of said sleeve to said interior surface of said sleeve.
 71. The handle grip of claim 70, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 72. The handle grip of claim 70, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 73. The handle grip of claim 72, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 74. The handle grip of claim 70, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 75. A handle grip and shoulder support for carrying items comprising: a flat strap having an exposed surface; a flexible gripping member comprising a thermoplastic material, said flexible gripping member having an exterior surface and a length defined by a pair of end walls, and each of said end walls having a slot out of which said strap exits; and visual communication indicia comprising at least one aperture located within said gripping member.
 76. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 75, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 77. The handle grip and shoulder support of claim 75, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 78. The handle grip of claim 77, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 79. The handle grip of claim 75, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 80. A handle grip comprising: a strap having an exposed surface; and a gripping sleeve positioned around said strap, said gripping sleeve having an exterior surface with at least one recess comprising visual communication indicia; wherein said exposed surface is visible through said at least one recess of said gripping sleeve.
 81. The handle grip of claim 80, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 82. The handle grip of claim 80, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 83. The handle grip of claim 82, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 84. The handle grip of claim 80, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol.
 85. An adjustable handle grip for baggage and containers comprising: a flexible strap having two ends and a first color; a flexible cover having a second color and an exterior surface defined by a front end wall and a back end wall; at least one opening in said exterior surface of said flexible cover, said at least one opening comprising visual communication indicia; wherein said first color of said strap is visible through said at least one opening in said exterior surface and is different than said second color of said cover.
 86. The handle grip of claim 85, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one non-typographic symbol.
 87. The handle grip of claim 85, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise at least one typographic symbol.
 88. The handle grip of claim 87, wherein said at least one typographic symbol comprises at least one alphanumeric symbol.
 89. The handle grip of claim 85, wherein said visual communication indicia comprise a combination of at least one typographic symbol and at least one non-typographic symbol. 